Wind Turbine Community Fund Management Notes

Public

Michael Kennedy asked if the public could use their allocated 15 minutes to contribute during the meeting. The chair clarified that this is possible through the chair's discretion.

1. Apologies

None

2. Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer changes 

The WTC showed their appreciation for all the voluntary clerk / RFO work by John Hodge from the first grant awarded in June 2016.

Action: John Hodge is now supporting a planned transition to Reggie Stankevic as a paid clerk and Nick Pike as a voluntary Responsible Financial Officer.

3. Bank reconciled funds 

John Hodge reported on the funds. All end of year externally verified accounts from 31 March 2021 can be found on the parish website, in the wind turbine community fund management area, under the annual accounts section. Annual Externally Verified Accounts – Great and Little Carlton Parish Council (lincolnshire.gov.uk)

Action: John Hodge to guide Nick Pike through the year ending 31 March 2022 process in readiness for the account publication in August 2022.

4. Committee membership and any associated vacancies

Roz Ward resigned on 7 October 2021

Sue Hebden resigned on 2 February 2022

Peter Dedman resigned on 7 February 2022

A non-councillor vacancy notice was published on 12 February 2022

Action: The existing WTC will meet informally after the end of the vacancy notice on 12 March 2022.

5. Annual governance review, which includes the application form, guidance and screening form

The governance document was reviewed, and amendments approved by the WTC.

It was decided to review the application form, guidance and screening / assessment form in readiness for approval at the next WTC biannual meeting on 18 August 2022. Any grant applicants for 1 August 2022, will use the existing documents.

Action: John Hodge to post the revised WTC governance document on the parish website.  

6. Investment for future generations in the Carltons – further consideration of employing an Independent Financial Adviser to ensure the funds are working harder for the people of the Carltons  

It was agreed the WTC should explore the use of an Independent Financial Adviser and explore the community solar investment opportunity in Grimsby. 

Actions:

a. Nick Pike to contact Castlegate Financial Management (a sister company of Ducan & Toplis) in Grantham and MJR Financial Services in Louth. John Hodge to provide contact details. Nick Pike to also explore the Premium Bond option.

b. Kate Berridge to provide contact details for the community solar organisation in Grimsby to Nick Pike.

c. Nick to chair a sub-committee of Angela Arden and Brenda Hanvy to work on the matter between now and the next biannual meeting on 18 August 2022.

7. Progress report on existing grants

Sir Edward Smith Trustees – Michael Kennedy has provided a grant report as requested.

Actions:

a. Solar grant – the Village Hall Trustees banking matter is being addressed by Reggie Stankevic, as the Trustees Treasurer.

b. St Edith’s tree work – placed on the draft Parish Council agenda for 10 March 2022.

c. John Hodge to publish the updated report on the parish website. 

8. Grant applications

8.1 Queens Platinum Jubilee - Helen Locking on behalf of the Social Club

The WTC re-confirmed their approval of the grant for £3000 and agreed to pay one further advance payment on top of the existing £600 paid on 21 December 2021. Grant expiry date: 16 February 2023.

Actions:

Helen Locking to submit the next pre-payment request details.

John Hodge to commit the outstanding £2400.

8.2 Annual allowance primarily for parish mowing and clerk services to support the Parish Council and the Wind Turbine Committee – Nick Pike on behalf of the Parish Council 

The WTC agreed to pay this inaugural grant of £5000. Grant expiry 16 February 2023.

Action:

John Hodge / Nick Pike to arrange transfer of funds into the Parish Council bank account at a suitable time

8.3 Highway Speed Indicator Device - John Hodge on behalf of the Parish Council 

The WTC agreed to pay £2719.20 which includes 20% recoverable VAT.

Conditions:

The effectiveness of the device will be monitored over a 3-year period. If the device is successful, then the Parish Council will use their own funds to renew the batteries after approx. 3 years in 2025. The Parish Council 2022-23 estimated budget includes placing funds in reserves.

If the device is not effective in changing driver behaviour, as judged by the data collection, the Parish Council will sell the device and return the proceeds of the sale of the device and fixing plates to the Wind Turbine Fund.

Actions:

a. Kate Berridge to inform Alan Merritt of the WTC decision.

b. John Hodge to place the order with payment, which is one of the terms and conditions as shown in the application.  Upon receipt of payment, Unipart Dorman will commence manufacture, as the device is made to order. Delivery will be approx. 6 weeks from receipt of payment.

c. Nick Pike as a Little Carlton Councillor and Alan Merritt as a Little Carlton resident will install, arrange for approximately 3 weekly battery charging and an analysis of vehicle speed data.

9. Next meeting – Thursday 18 August 2022, 7pm